Proof of being full of hot air with pulmonary test

October 20, 2008|By VICKI ROCK, Daily American Staff Writer

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I’ve always known that I have plenty of wind power. After all, I played the flute in high school. I walk on a treadmill and use a stationery bike every morning. But now I have proof that I’m full of (hot) air.

A lot of people have severe breathing problems. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S., Dr. Jayesh Desai, pulmonary disease specialist, said.

“Anybody who complains of shortness of breath is evaluated,” he said. “People may have breathing problems because of asthma or chronic lung diseases. The basic studies are easily done and reproducible.”

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I only took part in what is usually the first study done. I sat in the MedGraphics plethysmograph, the pulmonary function testing equipment. Roy Williams, staff therapist, explained that I was to blow into a mouthpiece while he watched a computer. At first, I was to breathe normally, then, on his command, to take a deep breath and blow out with all my strength. I did.

While I was breathing out hard, Williams was yelling, “Blow, blow hard. Blast it, blast it, blast it out.” That took six seconds. I thought that I had no more air in my lungs. Then he said, “Breathe in.” My lungs are fine.

He does this test three times with each person being evaluated because it isn’t possible to “fake it” three times. If you are holding back in your breathing to try and get on disability, you can’t do it three times in quick succession and get the same results, he said. If someone is having problems during the test, he is given a broncodialator and the test is repeated 15 minutes later.

In addition to that test, the therapists can have the patient do an exercise test, a cold air test or a chemical challenge. These are to try to determine what triggers an asthma attack. It is also used to determine how compromised the lungs are and to help the physician manage the medications. Blood work may also be done. They also work at patients’ bedside when someone is hospitalized.

“Just because you exercise, play a wind instrument or sing, it doesn’t mean you don’t have lung problems,” Desai said. “Many of the kids come in because they are in sports - track, long distance running, soccer - and they cannot finish because of their breathing.”

About 5,000 children die each year in the nation because of asthma, Weber said. Most are inner city children who don’t have access to health care or whose families can’t afford the medications.

By the year 2015, an additional 35 percent more trained respiratory therapists will be needed because of aging baby boomers, Weber said. They work in hospitals, nursing homes, sleep labs and do home visits.

“The therapists are professionals,” Desai said. “Their work is very important. They do patient testing, evaluation and education.”

The Somerset respiratory department has 17 employees. People who want to work in respiratory care may have a two-year associates degree or a four-year bachelor’s degree. Both the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and the Allegany College of Maryland offer the programs.